Feeding mechanism for stave-jointing machines



1,536,249 A. M. WALSTROM FEEDING MECHNISM FOR STAVE JOINTNG MACHINES Original Filed March 17, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 5, 19275.

May 5, '1925.

1,536,249 A. M. wALsTRoM FEEDING MECHNISM FOR STAVE JOINTING MACHINES Original Filed March 17, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 J7 l HG. 4 37 Patented May 5, 1925.

i 1,536,249 TENT oFF-ren.

AXEL wALsTnor/nfbnfininiineionis,"'iarNNEsorA, .assicnon `froV Tian cenar/inner 'PACKAGE MFG. GGMPANYfon cineasti, mariners, A oonronario'n' or `ILfIJINois.

Original application filed March 17,19%, Serial No. $99,620. Divided and this application led T0 all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, AXEL M. VViiLsfrnoM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin and State of Minnesota, have inventedy certain new and useful Improvements in Feeding Mechanism itor Stav'e-Jlointing Machines, oi' which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to machinery 'for the processing of -staves vused i'n the manufacture of tubs `and lilecontainers oi stave construction, and more 'particularly to the workfieeding mechanism in a machine for shaping or yjointing the `staves, such as that described and'illustrated `in my copending application SerialNo. 699,620, of which this application is a division.`

In my copending Aapplication above reterredto, I have described and illustrated my invention 'of `improvements in a 'machine l'or finishing the lateral edges ci staves 'for assembly in uthe construction ot tubs 'and like containers oi Vtapered form. The machine embodies improved automatic mechanisms for positioning the staves in relation to 'cutting devices, whichoperate successively to finish the lateral edges oi' staves of 'variablewidths in correct angular relation, the structure ,and operation of whichr I have` therein set "'orth.

Themachine alsoembodies improved automatic mechanisms `tor successively conveying or feedingthestaves rom'a niagazine stack through the respective Yoperating' zones ot the positioning and cutt'ingdevices, my invention otilmprovements in `such `feeding mechanism 'being the subject' matter of this application.

It is the principal object of this'ihvention to provide eedingmeclianism in "which a carrier operates automatically t`o withdraw` successively 'a series 1ofstaves from a stacked supply and `propel nthem "through the `inachine, andin whichthe carrier islprovided with automatic means for alternativelyireeing and locking the staves thereto coincident with the respective'operations of laterally Ipositi'oniiig*and cutting the stave's.

Other objects and advantages will heapp'ai'ent in the following detailed description ot a preferred"embodiment ofinyiuvention which `Il'iave selected `for illustration in the accompanying drawings. It `will be understood, however, that various changes in Serial No. 9,085.

form, construction and arrangement mayv be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. l represents a sectional elevation oit' the machine. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary-plan view of one 0i the carrier chains with its stave engaging devices. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the portion oi the carrier shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4; is a sectional end view oi the machine taken on the plane of the line @fue in Fig. l, illustrating the parteci the i'eeding mechanisms associated with the chains. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional side view of those parts taken on the plane ci the line 5 5 in Fig'. 4.

I will first state generally the operative arrangement oi the machine, herein illustrated as adaptedto thejointing oi staves or butter tubs. The rough cut approximately tapered staves are stacked at one end of the machine. Ain endless chain travelling beneath the stach carries devices adapted to engage the lowermost Astaves successively and move them forward through the machine, the withdrawalot' the staves :trom the stacked supply being controlled by devices adapted to prevent the removal ot more than one at a time.

As each stave is moved out'irom the stachit passes into the path of a lateralpositioniirg device which engages the stave and adjusts the position of one oi' its lateral edges, whereupon the engaging` devices on the carrier chain operate to lock the stave in adjusted position. Thecontinuously forwardly `moving sta-ve 'is then carried intoengagement with 'a revolving cutter which iinishes the alined lateral edge, tliestave thereafter being released from the locking engagement of the'carrier devices.

he staveis carried further into the path of a 'second positioning device which engages and adjusts thepos'itionot the stave for operation upon theopposite lateral edge by asecond cutter, whereupon theengaging devices on the carrier aga-in operate to lock the stave thereto, the latter being then moved through the 'zone of the second cutter, tlielocliing devices thereafter releasing the state for dischargeirom ithe machine. 'Iliestructure'and operation oi the 4position- Hex ing and cutting devices being fully set forth in my-copending application Serial No. 699,620, they are not further described herein.

More specifically described, with reference to the drawings, the operating mechanisms may be supported upon a frame of any suitable construction, that herein illustrated comprising pairs of spaced upright iiieinbei's 1, supported upon bottom rails 2, and carrying top rails 3. yiop cross inembers l and intermediate cross members 5 complete the frame structure.

vMounted on the cross members 4, are twoV pairsl of longitudinally extending spaced guide rails G, each pair supporting one Aof two endless carriers'i'. The carriers'pi'efcrably are of link-belt or chain type, 'andare operatively supported at the ends of the guide rails by sprockets 8 and'9, the'upper runs of the carrier chains passing between the guide rails G. The t'wo front or receiving end sprockets 8 are mounted on a shaft 1t) having vsuitable bearing supports mountrElie two rear or delivery endys'prockets 9 are mounted on' ed on the frame members a. sl'iatt 12 having bearing' supports mounted on the other ends of the framein'embers 3. rEhe shaft 12 carries a drive pulley 14 by which power is received for the operation of the chain carriers. j

The guide rails Gare adapted to la'teraland under support betr-veen the sprockets`8 and9 to the upper runsrespectively of the carrier chains 7 iii such position that the upper surfaces ofthe chains'aro substantially VHush with the upper surfaces oi" the guide rails. Each of the guide rails t is provided with a lateral. channel in its upper inner surface it'orminga shoulder` as iiidieated at the line 15 in Fig. l, for the uuder support of theside members ot' the chains in parallel relation to the upper surfacesof the rails.

The carriers 7, are' prcfei construction comprising outer'sidelinks 1G (see Figs'. 2 and 3) with their ends overlapping inner side links 17 and carrying cross pins 1S on which the links are pivoted.

Spacer sleeves 19 are positioned between the pairs of inner links, the sleeves preferably' being provided with bushings' 20 as bear-v ings for'the pivot pins.

At regular intervals in the carrier chains 7 there are located stave 'engaging dogs preferably comprising specially 'formed pairs of links 21 having extended portions projectingabove the'normal surface ofthe chain. A block 22 is rigidly secured between the eX- tended Vportions of therspecial links, and is provided with'a curved knife edge" 23 projecting forwardly over the carrier chain.

Located between each successive pair ofy stave' engaging dogs are preferably two stave securing devices comprisingl a link? ably of link-belt shaped member 24 of enlarged dimensions positioned between the side links of the chain. The member 24C is supported at its two ends upon the bushings of two adjoininglink connections, the -spaeer sleeves 19 being shortened to accommodate the member 24. End openings 25 in the member 2-t receive the bushings 20, and are of substantially larger diameter than the bushings, permitting the member to be moved vertically between the laterally supporting short spacer sleeve and the adjacent side` link. rlhe lower edge ofthe member eatends substantially below the normal under surface vof `the carrier chain. The upper edge of the member 24 is provided with a pair of knife-like 'upward projections 2o which are substantially Aflush with the upper surface of the carrier chain when the mem-V of each carrier, the member drops by gravv ity into lowered positions,r effecting the withdrawal'of the engaging'projections 2G Hush with the upper surface of the chain.'

Positioned beneath the upper run ot each carrier and between tbe 'spaced guide rails G are two pairs of successively arranged cam bars T and. 29, and 29' and Bt); which respectively engage and the members 2l and simultaneously"thrust'upward the engaging projections, holding them in raised positionv while travelling` the length of the respective bars. (See Fig. 1;) bars are resilieiitly mounted, being similarly supportedA on 'cross bars 31, carried on compression springs 32, which latter are carried by bolts 38 suspended from the flanges of theguide rails 6.

Positioned above the upper run' of each carrier is a longitudinally'extending stave retaining bar 34, secured in spaced relation tothe carrier chain by cross bars adjustablysupported on' posts or bolts 36 mounted on the top rails A stave hopper or magazinel is arranged over the front portion of each 'of the carriers. In the'p'resent illustration a forward wallV or stopv 37' is mounted on the froi'itsup'porting crossfbar 35 over'the foi-- ward end of cachot the Iretaining bars 3ft. (See Figs'. et and "Each ofthe latter is receiver] in a block 3S secured to the .bar

i The cam` `the crossbar ld'and `spacerblocks se'- cured to theggu'ide rails 6 ysupported on the trontends of the top rails/3. 'The upper flanges of the 'rails 6V 'removed 'tor a short `section "beneath the forward wall 37 `to receiveinJ eachhopper aypair of vvertically movable y plates 42-pivtallyfsupported yon the sides of the rails o, as at 43. The plates 4t2 are Shaped in "entorrnityito the upper surfaces ot the rail flanges, and are nor- `mally Yswung upwardV at their torwardends againstthe bloc'li'fbeing resiliently supported in that p'osition v,by compression springs 544;beari1rg on thelowerlianges ot theguide rails. V y y Positionedv n side `of'ithe pairs of guide` rails 6V Vwithin the `hopper sections.v are a pain ot upright laterally swinging stave alining rods w45, ypreferably ,inter-connected to torni ayoke shaped member pivota-lly supported, was at 4,6, upon va pair ot cross members y 417'` attached `to 'the guide rails and top rails oit `thetraine. The interconnecting portionsiiSlot theyolresare pret.- erably crafnlishaped, each'pair being operatively connected by a pairot' rods i9 with one ot' two vertically swinging levers t() pivoted on the lower frame ot' the Vnjiaclrine and interconnected by a treadlebar 5l, the levers `5Onbeing normally maintained in raised position by means ot springs 52 suspended 'from brackets secured to the. machine trame. Lateral pockets 53 may be :formed in the upper flanges of the rails 6 to permit entry of the inward swinging rods 4.5.

Oiling devices may be provided for the lubrication of the chains and stave securing devices comprising as herein illustrated (see Fig. 4l) a roller 54 of oil carrying material resiliently bearing upon the under side of the chain, the adjacent inner faces ot the rails 6 being cut away to permit full Contact with the chain. rlhe roller 54 is pivoted in the side walls of an oil pan 55 resiliently supported beneath the rails 6, as by spring bolts 56 securing the upper flanges of the pan to the lower lianges ot' the rails.

The mechanism here-inbetore described comprises the means for propelling the staves through the machine and for supporting them during the shaping of their lateral. edge, In operation, an attendant,

after steppingon the treadle 5l ,andI opening the alini'ng bars 45, places a flatly stVclied bunch ot rough staves in leach of the -hopfper sections, as illustrated at Ain Fig. l. [Upon releasing the rods 45,`the latter 4close aline them with the Adirection of travel ot the lcarrier chains. The torwar "moving upper runs ot the carriers, positioned between the spaced guide `rails,'operate in close: proximity to the bottom stavesot'each stack, and as the projecting dogs 22 reach the stack they successitely engage the outer end of the bottom stave and push itfroin beneath the stack forwardly'under thebev` eled block 3S into the space between the "retaining y bar 34- and the upper flanges ot theA guide rails 6.

The spring supported plates a2 operate to prevent any of the staves eicept the bottom one trom passing out 'et the hopper section and jamming the machine, and alsobto prevent 4jamming the bottom stave fwhen lilling an empty hopperatthe nmoment one of the dogs is well advancedin the hopper. Theplates 42 are held `against the blocl 38 with suiiicient tension to prevent passage of the stave until. the latter is properly engaged at its outer end and positively diiven against the'bevel 39, thereby depressing the plates 42 to `the normal surface ot `the guide rails. rlhe dogs are separated in"'the carriers by `a slightly greater distance than the length ot a stave, and when lirstengaged each stave thus loosely positioned between successive pairs otl dogs, thecnrved linite like engaging edge ot the latter facilitating the lateral shitting ot the stave.

lYhile thus loosely moved tor-ward,,each stave is laterally engaged by the iii-st ot' the positioning devices (indicated generally at B) and one ot its edges alined tor linish cutting at the correct angle. lVhen so alined, the two stave securing members 2l underlying the stave are engaged siniultaneously by the two cam bars 27 and 28, the members 211i being thereby lifted and their knife like projections 26 driven into the under side of the stave against the resistance of the retaining loa-r 34, their engagement being resiliently maintained by the spring mounting ofthe cam bars. The stave is thus locked against lateral displacen'ientin correct position for the lirst shaping operation, which latter is accomplished by the cutter indicated at C while the members 2li travel the length otl the respective cam bars 27 and 28.

Passing oit the ends ot the cam bars 27 and 28, the members 24C drop down and withdraw their engaging teeth trom the stave, the latter being again loosely propelled by the dog 22. During the next stage of advancement the stave is laterally engaged by a second positioning means (indicated at D) which alines the other edge ol. the stave l upoirthe stacks o't stares and appriiinat'ely for correct shaping. Thereupon, the stave securing members 24 are engaged by the second pair of cam bars 29 and 30, and are operated to again lock the stave in its new position for. the secondvshaping cut by the cutter indicated at E while the securing members travel over the bars 29 and 30. As the members di'op off the ends of the second pair of cam bars, the stave is finally released and loosely'propelled out of the machine.

I claim as my invention:

1. In apparatus of the iclass described having a ca rrier comprising` pivotally con-y nected pairs of spaced links, the combina@ tion of a stave abutting element secured toV said links and projecting upwardly from the surface of said carrier, an oversize extra link positioned forwardly of said ele-V ment and having oversize apertures receiving an adjacent pair of pivot connections in said carrier for the loose support of said eXtra lilik, said eXtra link normally extending below said carrier and having upper projections normally .retracted below the upper surface of said carrier, and a cam adapted to engage the lower portion of said eXtra link and raise said upper projectionsy above the surface of said carrier.

2. In apparatus of the` class described, a

carrier adapted to receive a successionA of. of loose staves, said carrier having a pluraility,` of spaced projecting elements icspectively adapted to abut and propel the staves, a retaining bar positioned above the path of said staves adapted to prevent upward displacement of the staves, a plurality of elongated stave engaging members mounted longitudinally on said carrier beneath the respective positions of said staves having blade-like upper projections normally flush with said carrier and adapted to be raised by the upward movement of said meinbers into engagement with said staves to prevent lateral displacement thereof, said vineinbers extending through said carrier and being loosely supported at their front and rear ends in the structure of said carrier, and cam means positioned below said carrier adapted to engageand raise said members.

3. Inapparatus ofr thel class descrbed, in combination, a guide adapted to receive a stack of loose staves upon a portionthereof, means. for successively moving the under stave of said stack along said guide, a stop wall positioned above said guide adjacent said stave receiving portion, said stop wall having an inclined lowerporti'on terininating in spaced relation to saidguide for tlic passage of said staves, and a resiliently depressable under support for the ends of said staves adjacent said stop wa1l,.said under support normally closing the space between the lower end of said stop wall and said guide. l

et. I n apparatus'of the class described, in combination, a stationary bottom support for a stack of loose. staves, an upright end support 'for said staves having an outwardly inclined lower portion terminating in spaced relation to said bottom support, a horiontally pivoted. member Ipositioned beneath saidend support and normally closing the space between said end support and said bottom support, resilient means for maintaining said member in closing position, and means for forcing `the lowermost one of said staves against tlieinclined portion of said end support thereby depressing said meinber and discharging saidstave from said stack. g y

In witness whereof I have hereunto attached my signature.

AXEL M. iviiLs'ri-ioiir. 

